A Qualitative Case St udy on the Exercise Ex perience and Perceived Exercise Barriers of Childhood Cancer Survivors

The purpose of this study was to identify the exercise experience and perceived exercise barriers of childhood cancer survivors diagnosed with cancer in childhood and adolescence, and to explore common issues and practical implications in depth. Nine adolescents who were diagnosed with childhood cancer and completed treatment were selected as study participants, and a qualitative case study was conducted to understand individual characteristics. In-depth interviews were conducted one-on-one using open-ended questions. Our results showed that the exercise participation experience was classified as ‘exercise experience before diagnosis cancer’ and ‘exercise experience after diagnosis cancer’. Before cancer diagnosis, participants of the study experienced similar exercise and physical activity (PA) participation as children and adolescents without cancer. However, during cancer treatment, their PA participation decreased dramatically, even after cancer treatment, participants do not recover their pre-diagnosis PA levels. Exercise barriers which they experienced were classified into ‘environmental constraint factors’ such as lack of exercise partner and facilities, and ‘physical constraint factors’ such as such as low fitness levels and side effect of cancer treatment. Due to these exercise barriers, participants did not meet the recommended amount of PA levels for adolescents and had an inactive lifestyle. Based on the in-depth understanding of the exercise participation experience and exercise barriers of childhood cancer survivors, various methods will be proposed about participation in regular exercise in local communities and schools for childhood cancer survivors.ope